Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, and plays multiple roles in your body. The trace mineral cobalt is a key constituent of B12, hence this vitamin is also known as cobalamin.

Functions

B12 is required for the production and function of many diverse cells throughout the body, ranging from the brain, to blood, nervous system, and bone marrow. So this vitamin is crucial for optimum brain and nervous system function, and deficiency symptoms include poor memory and depression.

In the blood, B12 is a key element in the production of red blood cells, hence one deficiency symptom is fatigue, where there are insufficient red blood cells to supply oxygen to all the cells of the body.

B12 plays a vital metabolic role. It is involved in the metabolism of all food groups, especially the dietary fats, for energy production.

On a genetic level, B12 is a key factor in the production of RNA and DNA, on which our genetic blueprint is written.

Foods rich in B12

Animal protein contains the richest source of vitamin B12, especially liver. Many people turn their noses up at the thought of eating liver, but lambs liver is surprisingly tasty and tender, and can be eaten with grilled onions and mushrooms, with a side serving of vegetables to make a highly nutritious meal. Fish is also a rich source, especially canned anchovies and canned herrings.

Eggs are considered by some to be a good source, but they're not as effective as people think, due to a factor in eggs that inhibits B12 absorption. As with all vitamins and minerals, it's not simply the amount in foods that's important, it's the ease of absorption into the body and the body's ability to use it, known as bioavailability. Another prime example of amounts verses bioavailability is seaweed, which is very high in B12, but not in a form that can be easily absorbed and used by humans.

Dairy foods are a reasonably good source of B12, such as milk and cheese, which makes these good options for vegetarians.

Vegans struggle to get sufficient vitamin B12 from whole foods, so they need foods fortified with B12, such as fortified cereals. If you are a vegan, it's worth consulting your doctor about B12 supplements.

Deficiency

Alcoholics, vegans, the elderly, are three groups at risk of deficiency. Alcoholics are deficient because alcohol consumed in excess reduces the digestive system's ability to absorb B12. And the elderly are at risk because the richest sources of B12 are protein foods, and for the B12 to be released from protein the food needs to be broken down by gastric acid, which is not produced sufficiently in the elderly.

There is a malabsorption syndrome called pernicious anemia, which is another cause of B12 deficiency. This syndrome is an auto-immune disease in which the stomach's parietal cells are destroyed. These cells are responsible for producing intrinsic factor, which is needed for B12 absorption.

If there are two main messages to take away from this article, one would be to buy some lambs liver and make it a regular part of your diet. And if you're a vegan, stock up on cereals fortified with B12 and get your doctor's advice on B12 supplements.

A healthy diet is needed for those suffering from both mild and moderate acne. It plays a big part in the condition of the skin and usually when a soft drink or other food high in sugar are consumed a break out is inevitable.

Here is some advice on the best healthy food for your skin:

1. Vegetables. Very good, leads to less acne and a nice complexion. Also high in antioxidants.

2. Fruit. Even though high in sugar, it has vitamins which help the skin recover from problems.

3. White Meat. Chicken has proven to be very helpful in overcoming conditions such as dry skin.

4. Tuna. High in Omega three and any other fish is in the same category. The omega three and natural fish oil help the skin build immunity against problems and infections.

5. Salad. Even though this may be in the vegetable range. A salad includes all different types of vegetables and allows the skins pores to open up and be clean.

Good Drink to help cure acne :

1. Water. By staying to a water diet, you will notice immediate improvement in your acne.

Bad Foods which aggravate acne :

1. Chocolate. Very high in sugar.

2. Soft Drink. High levels of sugar and caffeine trigger breakouts and irritation.

Even though a lot of doctors say diet is not related to acne. For most people suffering from mild or moderate acne it very much is, not so much those people with severe acne though. A water diet with a lot of vegetables will help cure any disease of the skin.

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Everyone loves snacks. There are even kids that say "snack" is their favorite meal of the day. While some laugh at this, it shouldn't be taken so lightly. Snacks can be really important parts of a child or adult's diet. Snacks give your body an energy boost throughout the day, and they can help maintain your weight because you will be eating less at big meals. Eating less at main meals and having snacks in between will help your metabolism, and you will process food faster when you eat.

Healthy snacking has a lot of benefits. Choosing fruit, yogurt, granola bars, vegetables, and whole wheat grains are better choices than pre-made snacks by cookie and chip companies. The benefits of healthy snacking are that these snacks provide a lot of nutrients and vitamins that many people need but take for granted. They are good sources of energy. Also, they provide fiber to help cleanse the body, again making your bodily systems and functions more efficient.

For your children, one of the major benefits of healthy snacking is that it increases and builds their immune systems. This will mean less medical bills for you! Try giving your children fresh fruit, vegetables like carrots and celery, yogurt, cheese, and nuts. These snacks are not only healthier for your children, but they directly address needed food groups your children should be taking in everyday. Keep your kids away from potato chips, candy, and sugary cookies. These types of snacks usually boost children with energy, but send them crashing after a while. All that your children will be left with are the sodium and fats found in the snacks. Many of these store bought snacks are also salty, which can dehydrate you and/or your child,

It can be difficult to keep children away from the yummy ready to eat snacks, so look for good alternatives. If your child likes candy and chocolate because they have a sweet tooth, turn them on to eating fresh fruit or fruit juice Popsicles. If they like chips and cookies, get them some unsalted nuts or oatmeal cookies. Keeping your children on healthy snacks lessen their risks for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and other serious illnesses. These benefits will be helpful to them for the rest of their lives.

Healthy snacking will also help your children at school. When their bodies are not filled with junk, they will feel less sluggish or moody and cranky, and they can perform at their best and achieve their peak potential. The benefits of healthy snacking are all around, and great! So look into snacking for you and your kids. You will never regret it!

Getting your kids to eat healthy snacks can be a huge challenge for a parent. For more healthy snack ideas, visit Easy and Healthy Snacks for Kids and find healthy snack ideas, as well as healthy recipes for meals that your kids will love!

The skin is a natural defensive body covering and is an organ made up of several layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying muscles and organs. It is one of the main influential indicators of health and can give an interface a completely diverse look than what it initially came with. Dry or oily skin, acne and inflammation all are some of the major symbols of fragile internal health, and happen because of consuming unhealthy foods.

Now in order to overcome from unhealthy skin, these days many people apply mainstream topical cosmetics, like creams and lotions. However, you must understand that treating your skin with costly chemical beauty products does very little to overcome from the origin source of the problem. Recent study has revealed that skin responds essentially well to some vitamins and minerals that nurture the skin and make it appear more young and healthy. The following are some of the essential nutrients to consume for healthy skin:

1. Zinc: This mineral is the important component of healthy skin, and plays an important role by controlling the creation of oil in the skin. It is highly recommended these days to have proper Zinc consumption as it is help in reducing prostate cancer. The various food sources of zinc include pumpkin seeds, ginger, fresh oysters, oats, and eggs.

2. Silica: Silica is vital for healthy skin and is a trace mineral that helps in strengthening body's connective tissues like muscles, hair, nails, cartilage. Its shortage can result in reduced skin elasticity and can also slow down the body's ability to heal wounds. The various food sources of silica include strawberries, cucumber, green beans, asparagus and rhubarb.

3. Vitamins C, E and A: Vitamin C is greatly useful at dipping free radical damage that is frequently caused because of overexposure to the sun or pollution. The various food sources of Vitamin C include collard greens, red and green bell peppers, guava, and broccoli. Vitamin E is next effective antioxidant that also helps in reducing the harmful outcomes of sun exposure on skin. However, one must note that when Vitamin E is mixed with vitamin A, it becomes highly helpful in curing certain skin cancers.

Vitamin E helps in decreasing the coming out of wrinkles, and when applied topically, helps in soothing dry or rough skin. Some of the various food sources of Vitamin E are sunflower seeds, wheat germ oil, almonds, tomatoes, cabbage, and avocados. In addition to this Vitamin A helps in promoting proper repair and maintenance of the skin. Foods that act as major source for Vitamin A include carrots, liver, collard greens, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe.

In addition to this some of the major tips for healthy skin are:

" Protect yourself from the sun and make the best use of sunscreen to avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 and 2.

" Stop smoking or if possible never start. You have to understand that skin is a large organ and it requires lot of circulation and smoking impairs that dramatically.

" Keep yourself away from both disturbing and environmental stress.

" Commit yourself to cleanse your face twice a day and put on the proper treatment product.

" Try to keep yourself well hydrated, by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. This particular activity helps in keeping your skin moist and supple.

" Don't ignore certain areas of the skin like heels, neck, as they too need moisturizing, and apply sun protection on your scalp and the tops of your feet.

" Exercise is also good for your whole body, but particularly for your skin. It helps in improving and increasing skin tone and maintaining its elasticity. Exercise also amplify the blood flow to your skin and give it a healthy glow.

" Avoid toxic skin care products. Be careful of the deadly chemicals used in all most all stylish skin care products. Most products have cancer-causing ingredients that pass through the skin and finally enter your bloodstream.

Maintaining healthy skin is not a tough task. It is simple; all you need to do is follow above mentioned tips and make sure to have proper nutrients as a regular routine in your life. Follow these tips for healthy skin and you will see improvements over the course of several weeks.

The author is an aspirant writer on Health Books from India To get the latest Indian books online on health and herbal health care products on beauty care and Alternative treatments like Magnetic Therapy, Reiki, Ayurveda, Yoga, Acupressure, Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Aromatherapy etc. For Indian books, multimedia CD on Indian Treatment Methods and other alternative instruments log on to online store and bookstor

With all the advances medicine has made in recent years it has become much more efficient at treating many health problems that we have. We all know however it is best to avoid health problems all together. By following a few simple healthy living tips you may be able to do this.

MAKE REGULAR DOCTOR VISITS

Men often ignore abnormal health symptoms and avoid going to doctors. This may be part of the reason why women tend to outlive us. Make sure that you have a yearly checkup. Make the appointment and keep it. There are some that need a little push so get a family member involved that will make sure you go to your doctor. It is in your best interest as well as theirs.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET

Avoid eating processed and fast foods. These are the types of foods that are full of sugar, unhealthy fats and salt. Instead include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean cuts of meat into your diet. Try to eat two meals of fish per week. A good tip when grocery shopping is to concentrate on items that are on the perimeter of the store. This is the area where you will find fresh foods. The aisles, for the most part, is where the unhealthier foods are.

EXERCISE ON A REGULAR BASIS

The leading cause of death today is heart disease and regular exercise is known to be the best way that you can prevent it. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes each day. Choose something that you enjoy doing and it will be easier to stick with your program for the long term. Swimming, walking, softball or other forms of aerobic exercise will give you the most benefit.

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR WAISTLINE

One way that you can determine if your health is at risk is by your waistline. If your waist is larger than 40 inches this may be a reason for concern. Studies have shown that men with larger waistlines are more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other health issues.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING YOUR VITAMINS

You can do this in two ways. Take a multivitamin each day and make sure your diet includes vitamin rich foods. Eating foods that are high in fiber will help you accomplish this. One side note here, some commonly prescribed drugs have the effect of depleting our bodies of needed nutrients and vitamins so if you are taking anything for a condition you have it would be a good idea to speak to your doctor about this on your next visit.

STAY AWAY FROM THE COMMON HEALTH SINS

While some of this may be obvious it is still worth mentioning. Don't smoke. This is one of the leading health risks that we face today. Even second hand smoke can have negative affects on your health and the health of people around you. It is a major contributor to lung cancer, COPD, emphysema and other diseases.

If you drink alcohol make sure that you do it in moderation. While some alcohol consumption has been reported to reduce the risk of heart disease doctors recommend that you do it in more healthy ways such as exercise. Alcoholism has negatively affected many people along with their families.

Stay away from drugs such as cocaine and anabolic steroids. Cocaine has been shown to increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. It has become all too common for men who are trying to increase body mass to resort to steroids. Unfortunately there is a high price in term of health that is often paid.

By following these simple guidelines you can greatly increase the probability of living a much healthier and productive life. You will not only feel better but look better as well.

If you are looking for more information and tips to improve your health visit our blog at Healthy Living for Life immediately. You will be on your way to a happier and healthier lifestyle.

When you get up in the morning it's really important to have a meal. Why? This is because of the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives your metabolism the necessary energy level to start your day. Here are the top 10 healthy breakfast foods to have a good start in the morning.

1. Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait with sliced oranges, peaches, blueberries, low fat granola and 6 oz. plain, nonfat yogurt is a healthy recipe to start your day and it can easily be prepared in 10 minutes.

2. Spinach and Tomato Omelet is another healthy breakfast treat that could start your day. It could give you your needed fiber and protein in order for you to get your day right. If you want to make a spinach and tomato omelet on your next breakfast then the recipe is as follows: 3 eggs or 6 egg whites, slightly beaten, º cup cooked spinach, nonstick spay, 6 pieces sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Try it and you will be amazed on how it tastes.

3. If you are planning to make pancakes for your breakfast then you should consider making them healthy. Healthy pancakes have the same taste of the classic breakfast treat minus the high-glycemic carbohydrates and the added calories. If you have the following ingredients then you can easily make one for yourself: 2 eggs, º canola oil, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 cups low fat milk, _ teaspoon salt and wheat germ and 1 _ cups whole wheat pastry flour.

4. If you are looking for a protein packed breakfast then scrambled tofu can be your best bet for a high protein breakfast. Add some green peppers, onions and some light tamari sauce, garlic powder and black pepper to your tofu then stir-fry it with a little olive oil. It may sound simple but it will surely give you give you a fulfilling breakfast.

5. Kashi Golean Crunch or any whole grain cereal is also a good choice. Just add milk or soymilk and some fresh fruit to it and you instantly have a treat.

6. Fresh fruit salad is also a good choice. How can you go wrong with fresh fruits? Just choose some fresh fruits, cut it up and add some lemon juice or lime to it. Voila! It tastes just perfect.

7. Whole-wheat toast and almond butter with grapefruit is one of the best combinations for a healthy toast. Put a little sugar on top of the grapefruit and combine it with almond butter to have the right amount of protein for your day. It may sound sinful but it sure is healthy!

8. Protein shakes with extras can help you get your needed nutrients easily especially when you are on the go. You can use a soy protein powder with low fat or soymilk then add frozen blueberries or bananas to give your protein shake a tasteful twist to it.

9. Cottage cheese and fruit can also be combined to give you both carbohydrates and protein. Choose your favorite fruits and add to them to the low fat cottage cheese. You can keep them in a plastic container if you want them to be accessible even if you are in a hurry.

You can find more health breakfast recipes and information at our blog http://yeahtips.com/2009/11/21/eat-your-breakfast-children.

People strive to keep fit because they want a healthy body. And what is generally good for your health is also good for weight control. Choosing the foods you eat is essential for the attainment of good health. Getting enough of it ensures that you are on the right diet track. Make exercise a daily habit. Staying physically active keeps you young and healthy.

Get your daily fiber requirement. Foods high in fiber prevent constipation, decreases risk of cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, Diabetes and obesity. Usually, our daily diets consist more of simple carbohydrates and red meat. These are foods that contain less fiber and high in saturated and partially hydrogenated oils. Summarily, these are foods that are bad for one's health. Observe your eating habits and mentally calculate the amount of fiber you ingest. Compare it to the daily requirement which is around twenty eight to thirty grams of fiber. You should also get your fair share of good fats. These kinds of fat are needed for vital body processes. Fats from fish, nuts and some fruits like avocados are good sources of unsaturated or good fats.

Make sure you drink clean and safe water. Consider the container in which you put your water. A glass or steel container is safer. It is generally recommended that you drink eight glasses of water daily. It would be better however, to base it according to your needs. Strenuous activities like exercise requires increased water intake to maintain hydration.

Exercising daily is a must if you want to stay fit and maintain your weight. Find a sport, an exercise regimen or any physical activity that you can be consistent in. You'll find that exercise decreases stress and promote good sleep. Stress and lack of sleep have both been linked to weight gain.

Eat at least four to six small meals a day. This keeps your metabolism stoked. You can also prevent getting too hungry. Start with a healthy breakfast. Choose cereals that are high in fiber. Oatmeal topped with fruits is also a good choice. Get protein from low fat milk. Try to eat breakfast within thirty minutes of waking up. This is the most important meal of the day. Failure to eat breakfast can drive you to go on a binge later on.

Healthy lifestyle changes is the way to the attain weight loss and good health. Maintaining it ensures that your quality of life is not compromised by unhealthy dietary habits. Good health habits are worthwhile investments for your future.

Over at the FitnessArmory.com, you can let our expert advice on fitness and equipment reviews help you create the perfect home gym but without all the huge costs. We have the exclusive reviews on all your favorite brands and models to help you get in shape, get healthy and look great. Recent product reviews include: Suunto T4D Heart Rate Watch, Suunto T6D Heart Rate Watch. We invite you to stop by or drop us a line if you have any questions or need help with your fitness equipment selections.

Are you a smoothie lover? Looking for some new smoothie recipes that use bananas? If so, I would like to share 6 of my favorite banana flavored smoothie recipes with you.

Why are banana smoothies good for you? Bananas are high in potassium and low in sodium making them the ideal healthy fruit. Bananas are great for reducing depression, achieving bone and intestinal health, and for regulating high blood pressure.

All of these smoothie recipes use bananas, along with some additional ingredients. If you are looking to cut calories, you can substitute the milk with skim milk, or the ice cream with low-fat yogurt.

If you like your smoothies really sweet, try adding 1-2 tablespoons of honey to your recipe. I always serve my smoothies in a chilled glass but you can serve them any way that you like. You can drink them straight from the glass, use a straw or eat them with a spoon. It is best to always serve your smoothies immediately.

Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until well blended (about 1 minute).

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989. Shelly is a Manager with Tupperware. You can contact Shelly at:
Web: http://www.classybusinesswomen.com
Recipe Blog: http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com

With medical research over the last few decades having improved so greatly, we are now, more than ever, aware of the benefits and pitfalls of our lifestyles. Many years ago we did not have the advantages of knowing the nutritional contents of our foods nor the adverse affects of many aspects of our lifestyles. Now, however, we are becoming increasingly knowledgeable regarding the needs of our bodies and minds. Much of the information that we all have now would only have been available to the medical profession some years ago. The nutritional values of foods and the effects of poor diets are now common knowledge to even school children. The benefits of healthy living are also starting to show with life expectancies increasing and quality of life being improved.

Knowledge of our dietary needs and information regarding the nutritional values of our foods are probably the biggest factors in improving our health. This, combined with understanding the benefits of healthy living, has gone a long way to improving our quality of life. We know now all the facts about smoking, for example. When smoking tobacco first became a popular habit very little was known about the damage that it was doing. Ignorance can no longer be used as an excuse as there have been so many exhaustive tests done and so much research carried out that we are all well aware of the dangers associated with smoking. In light of this, smokers are becoming fewer and fewer and our environment becoming all the better for it. A smoke free environment in public places has vastly improved the medical welfare of all.

Now that we have all been made aware of some of the risks and dangers associated with bad diet, lack of exercise and smoking, we are all starting to see the benefits of healthy living. This is becoming apparent not only in our life expectancy but also in the quality of life that is being enjoyed by our more senior population. Retirement is no longer a time when you will feeling your age and taking to your chair. Nowadays it is much more common to see people over retirement age enjoying a full and very active lifestyle. Many more retired people are continuing with sports such as tennis, swimming and walking. There are a lot of clubs available for walking and hiking and other outdoor pursuits for the over 65s and these are becoming increasingly popular.

Children, too, are starting to see the benefits of healthy living. Many now understand that they are able to participate and succeed in sports if they follow a healthy lifestyle and not start smoking and eating junk food all the time. Good nutrition and physical fitness is now becoming popular among the youngsters as they have a better understanding of how easy it is to change their lifestyle and feel good about themselves.

The benefits of healthy living are really starting to become apparent through all the generations as our understanding and knowledge increases.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Benefits of Healthy Living, please visit Modern Fitness for current articles and discussions.

Heart disease is one of the leading killers of Americans today. The fact that most of us live very hectic lifestyles with many demands on our time and attention sometimes results in us loosing site of the things that we can do in our lives to help assure that we are taking the best care of our hearts as we can. We are going to examine some healthy living tips that may appear to be common sense but can easily be overlooked.

EAT A HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS DIET

Eat 4 to 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. These foods are not only low in calories but they also contain vitamins, minerals and fiber that are essential to a healthy heart. If you feel that your diet leaves you lacking in some essential nutrients consider supplementation as an alternative.

In order to control high blood pressure and cholesterol eat whole grains. These are low in fat and high in fiber and vitamins that will help you do this. The risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity has been shown to be reduced by eating as little as three servings per day. Start your morning off by eating oatmeal (not instant) with whole grain toast. In the afternoon instead of snacking on a bag of chips substitute granola or even air popped popcorn.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This will do two important things to help your heart health. First it helps you keep your weight down. The body will sometimes confuse dehydration with hunger and you will tend to eat more than you should. It is also good for your skin. The second way it helps is that doing this will help prevent your blood from thickening. As your blood gets thicker it puts a strain on your heart because it has to work harder to pump blood to areas of the body where it is needed. By drinking an adequate supply of water your heart has to work less.

EXERCISE REGULARLY

Exercise is a very important component of heart health. Aerobic exercise such as walking, bike riding, dancing or running is the best. Remember that when you are considering an exercise program take a moment and think about what you truly enjoy doing. If you enjoy something it is much easier to stick with it over the long run. Regular exercise will help control blood pressure and cholesterol numbers and make your heart and lungs stronger. Along with reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke exercise will also increase stamina and mood.

GET ENOUGH REST

Many sacrifice sleep in order to make more time in their busy day. By doing this it limits the body's ability to control blood sugar. People who have diabetes are well aware of this. What this can do is lead to inflammation in the veins and arteries. This can cause scars to form in the arteries and increase the possibility of plaque buildup. This buildup can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Your goal should be to get eight hours of sleep each night in order to protect your heart as well as keep blood sugar levels under control.

QUIT SMOKING

If you are a smoker it is important that you speak to your doctor and find a way to quit. Nicotine increases the amount of blood that is needed by the heart thus reducing the amount that can flow through the veins to other parts of the body where it is needed. Carbon monoxide will also knock oxygen molecules off red blood cells thus limiting the amount of oxygen which the heart receives. It is important to realize that nothing about smoking is good for heart health.

For more Healthy Living Tips visit us immediately. You will be on your way to a happier and healthier lifestyle.